Monthly Archives: June 2009

I have a few things to blog about, but I should do them in order. The week before last found me in Seattle and Tacoma. I flew to Seattle and hung out with some friends.

I first stayed with my college roomie Tina for a few days. She introduced me to the Twilight movie, and I introduced her to a new knitting project. She has been working on a long stockinette scarf for about two years, since a friend taught her how to knit. She pulled it out again since I was coming over. I did have to break the news to her that it will never stop rolling. =( I was able to drag her to a few yarn stores while I was there. We went to the Fiber Gallery in Phinney Ridge where I bought some Dream in Color Starry and Tina bought some Silk Garden and fixin’s to make fingerless gloves. A very nice selection. The next day we went to Hilltop Yarn on Queen Anne. I think they are moving across the street, so everything was 25% off. I bought some Shibuiknits Sock to start some (more?!) knee high socks, and more Noro Silk Garden Sock. I don’t know why I keep buying it. I haven’t knit with what I have at home, and most reviews are less than enticing. Plus sometimes I see the same colorways over and over and get bored with them. I started the knee-highs as part of the Sock Knitters Anonymous Rav. group’s June sockdown. Here’s part of one. It’s the Evening Stockings for a Young Lady from Knitting Vintage Socks. (I’ll do a full post when they’re done).

I was really proud of Tina and her knitting. She finished one fingerless glove while I was there. She learned how to knit in the round, do ribbing, use DPNs, and make a thumb gusset! I hope she manages to finish the other one before I go back in a year!

I then moved over to my friend Michelle’s place. I suppose she was a grad school roommate! I stayed at her cute house in Ballard and spent some time with her pets. Of course I didn’t take any pictures while I was there. We went on walks, got yummy crumpets and ate some good meals. She also had a fun barbecue one night I was there. Thanks to my generous hostesses! Oh, also caught up with another friend from high school/college.

My Mom and Dad came up to Seattle and picked me up. We had some lunch and then my Dad dropped us off at the University of Puget Sound campus. Then it was 3-4 days of the Northwest Regional Spinners Association conference. This is my first time going. I became a member just to attend the conference with my Mom. Since she was driving up from Camas, she brought both of her wheels. That way I didn’t have to fly up with my wheel. I took two all-day classes. One was Spinning Woolen and Worsted with Anne Field, author of the Ashford Book of Spinning. I worked on my long and medium draw and using a flick carder. The next day was Spinning Alpaca with Kaye Collins. Very informative and a fun class. She gave the keynote speech of the conference, which was a little more spiritual than my tastes tend to run…

We had meal tickets in the cafeteria, which meant three all-you-can-eat meals within 10 hours. I felt moderately sick for the whole time. I just can’t stop myself from eating tons of crap.

My Mom pushed me to enter my Muir shawl (previous post here) into the gallery. I was a little hesitant about it, because it was my first lace handspun. I knew the yarn was pretty uneven and was worried about the judging. But I surprisingly scored very highly! I got a first prize ribbon! I never really know what those ribbons mean. I definitely didn’t get the Best in Class ribbon. On the last night of the conference they announced that I won the People’s Choice award! It was very exciting.

Here is a picture of me with the shawl, the ribbon, and the trophy!

The “trophy” is near invisible in that picture. It is a crocheted heart hanging from a wire stand. It is a revolving trophy so I need to bring it back next year. I don’t know if I’ll make it again next year, but I’ll at least send it in. The woman who had it the year before was very sad to give it up. I just hope I can display it without a cat eating it. =) I’ve been sarcastic about the whole thing and laughing at how seriously the other woman took it. But really, it was quite an honor for me. I am definitely not as competent of a spinner as most of the people in attendance, and still have a lot to learn. It was pretty exciting and I’m glad that my Mom brought the shawl and “forced” me to enter it.

I am much more excited for my next post! Here’s a sneak preview!

Jill B.

Oh, Jill. Have you seen the Hansi Singh book? It has the Nessie in it, and a lot of the other patterns she sells. Right up your alley.

I’m addicted to a new indie dyer who calls herself Fiberphile. I hate to even talk about her yarn because since I discovered her a short two months ago, it’s become almost impossible to get. Gushing about it can only make it worse. But I so happy for her and her success that I can’t help but spread the love. So here goes nothing…

First off, Georgia (her real name) is from Vermont. I triple heart anything from New England, especially Vermont. Makes my heart cry out with bittersweet homesickness. Secondly, she’s a lovely and humble woman who takes care of her family and runs her own successful small business out of her home which is such an inspiration to me. Thirdly, she’s a dyepot wizard. Here’s the proof…

Project details can be found on my project page on Ravelry. This is probably my most favorite knit ever! I was mesmerized the entire time and could barely put it down. This was also my first time working with beads. I purchased the size 6/0 sparkle gold lined crystal beads from EarthFaire (who has a small but quality selection and always provides superior customer service, I must say). I knit this Swallowtail Shawl as part of a KAL that was hosted in the Fiberphile Ravelry group. Speaking of which, there is another one going on now for June/July which I just cast on for…

Tiger Eyes socks knit with Fiberphile Glimmer MCN in Pumpkin Spice. (Merino/Cahsmere/Nylon blend seems to be a very popular yarn base with the indie dyers these days.) Now, these need to be finished by the end of July. A minor miracle will probably have to happen for that reality to materialize, but I’m going to go for it anyway!

Georgia seems to dye up large batches of yarn every three weeks or so. If you want to fight me for some, the battlefield, I mean website, is at August Lately. She also has a blog here.

On the massage school front, I just passed the first of three exams for my Anatomy & Physiology II class and I’m halfway through my third level of Deep Tissue class. The final exam for that is going to be a doozy!!! Though my regular schedule of classes is taking a lot of time and energy, I’m a glutton for punishment and decided to sign up for an elective taking place this Sunday. It’s an On-site Chair Massage class. I’m really excited about this one. If I love it, I’ll probably buy a chair which I could bring with me to knit night and practice massage on eveyone’s weary knitting fingers, arms and shoulders. Yay!

Speaking of Knit Night, I’m hoping to show my face this coming Monday, but since it’s going to be such a busy weekend “hoping” is really the operative word. I fear that if I don’t go this Monday, I won’t see y’all until mid-July at best. Would you still love me… remember me even???